Improvement in modes of obtaining motive power



Pat-ented Feb, 9,1875.

0V PHOTD muc c C.FAIVRE Mode of Obtaining Motive-Power.

6 m J# www? UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

CHARLES FAIVRE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MODES OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER.l

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,660, dated February9, 1875; application filed November 24, 1874.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES FAIVRE, of Paris, France, have invented anImproved Mode of ObtainingMotive Power, of which 'the following is aspecification:

The object of my invention is to utilize as a motive power the weight ofpedestrians and vehicles as they move to and fro, and this object Iattain in the manner which I will now proceed to describe, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure lis a verticalsection of the appaparatus, and Fig. 2 a plan view.

A is a platform, supported by springs, which rest on the cylinders I,and is kept in place by rods C. Boards B and B', hinged to each end ofthis platform, connect it with the level of the roadway or foot-path. Tothe under side of the platform A are attached pistons F, (four in thepresent instance,) which are adapted to the cylinders J, and-areprovided with the valve G, opening downward. Each cylinder, where avalve, J ,is open, communicates through the pipe K with the air-engineL, the piston of which is connected by a rod to that of the pump 0,which pumps air through the pipe R into the reservoir S.

The distance which the platform A is maintained by the springs E abovethe tops of the cylinders I should be about equal to the length of thestroke of the pistons F.

The platform A, and the number and size of the cylinders I, should be inaccordance with the duty which they have to perform. Theymay be adaptedto door steps, sidewalks, rooms, stores,&c, andfor vehicles on streets,roads, &c., for railroad-trains, at stations on the track, and whereverit may be thought convenient.

When a body passes over the platform A it will depress each of thepistons F, and force the air in the cylinders I to open the valves J,and escape into the pipe K, whence to operate the engine L. When theplatform A is released from the passing' weight the pistons F willspring back to their original positions, and allow the cylinders to beagain filled with air through the valve G. The valves J will at the sametime close and retain the com p ressed air in the pipe K. The piston ofthe engine L, being operated by the vair compressed in the pipe K, willin turn operate the pump C, which pumps air or other fluid into thereservoir S. The cylinders I may, if desired, be in direct communicationwith the reservoir. This reservoir is open at the bottom, and is fixedto a foundation or well, the lower end of which contains a supply ofwater, and the latter, as the air fills the reservoir, rises in the welland keeps the said air under a constant pressure. A pipe, T, at theupper end of the reservoir, supplies this compressed air to theneighboring manufactories, &;c., where some suitable motor is operatedby it.

I claim as my invention- The combination of the yielding platform F, f

cylinders I, and pipe K, communicating with the cylinders and with anengine or reservoir, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES FAIVRE.

Witnesses EMILE RICHARD, RoE'r. M. HooPEE.

